Kevin Campbell has told The Highbury Squad that Takehiro Tomiyasu was incredible in Arsenal’s win over Liverpool, claiming that Mohamed Salah gave up up against the full-back.
Mikel Arteta made a massive call ahead of the game. Oleksandr Zinchenko missed the fixture. But Arteta decided to leave Kieran Tierney on the bench for the start against the Reds.
Instead, it was Tomiyasu who got the nod to start at left-back. Not only was he making one of his only appearances at left-back for the Gunners, but he was also making his first Premier League start of the season on Sunday.
The decision however, proved to be an absolute masterstroke. Obviously, Arsenal went on to win 3-2 and return to the summit of the Premier League table. But it also proved to be a pretty miserable afternoon for Salah.
Tomiyasu was incredible
Salah was ultimately taken off after 69 minutes. And Campbell suggested that Tomiyasu absolutely dominated the battle between the two at the Emirates.
“I thought we were superb second-half, I really did. I thought we were superb, I thought the intensity was right. I thought the spacing was right, I thought Tomiyasu was incredible. He was right. So many good performances,” he told The Highbury Squad.
“Salah gave up, tapped out. No, not for me this guy. For his first start, he was outstanding.”
Arsenal probably do not have enough depth in a couple of areas. For example, there are big question marks should they lose either Thomas Partey or Gabriel Jesus at any point.
But the amount of quality in the defence is remarkable. They have three brilliant centre-backs who may only get better in the coming years.
And they also boast a cluster of outrageously good full-back options. Tomiyasu has further proved that he is a class act on either flank. And it must not be forgotten that he can also play at centre-back, too.
It has possibly been a surprise to see Tomiyasu play such a peripheral role so far. That has largely been down to previous injuries and the form of Ben White. But clearly, the Japan international is ready to play a big part in the Gunners’ season from this point on.